Wanted: Online source for SS clips

[Glen]

I am wanting to replace all of my brass clips with Stainless Steel clips. Does anybody have a good online source for SS clips? I will need about 20 clips in the 3 1/2" size range. Glen

[DeWayne]

I am wanting to replace all of my brass clips with Stainless Steel clips. Does anybody have a good online source for SS clips? I will need about 20 clips in the 3 1/2" size range. Glen

Not sure if this link will work: http://216.36.250.99/nixdogcollars/Page_5.html

It's Nix Dog collars, should be able to google it up if the link does not take you there.

[volkltecni]

Fifth Dimension in Seattle has them. You can order them online at www.fifthd.com

Hope this helps
Chris

[Genesis]

I strongly second Nix.

Nice quality, nice price. I have over two dozen of them on various pieces of my kit, and none have given me a lick of trouble or shown any signs of rust - in either salt or fresh water.

He's regularly on ebay and sells direct as well.

[DeWayne]

Yeah Nix has some of the best prices I have found when looking to buy several pieces. All SS including the spring, there are a lot out there that make a good clip but use an inferior spring for some reason. Reef Scuba also has some good prices on their SS clips.

[DeWayne]

Might also check Home Depot. I found some Atwood marine SS clips but unfortunately the Dothan store quit stocking them now. Think I paid around $6 for double enders and smaller boat clips then I could find anywhere else. They work perfectly on my back up lights and regs, not as bulky as the 3.5's. Typically such places are where you will find the ones with the galvanized springs, but the Atwoods are all SS. Chuck Noe tipped me off to these.

[Glen]

NIX worked out perfect! Thanks Dewayne. That is a great source. I ordered a bag of 15 SS clips. 3 1/2 inch size for $43 including shipping. That comes out to less than $3 per clip which is super cheap. I paid them with paypal and they are shipping asap.

[DeWayne]

NIX worked out perfect! Thanks Dewayne. That is a great source. I ordered a bag of 15 SS clips. 3 1/2 inch size for $43 including shipping. That comes out to less than $3 per clip which is super cheap. I paid them with paypal and they are shipping asap.

Gald to help Glen. You will be well pleased with the quality once you receive your order.

[Glen]

I was planning to put 3.5" clips on Everything. Would there be a disadvantage in doing so? I used to have smaller clips on my lights, slates, ect. but I am tired of futzing with the small clips. They are more difficult to handle, especially in cold water or wreck diving with gloves. Glen

[DeWayne]

In your situation I would think the smaller clips could be bothersome. I like them for cave diving where I have no gloves on and the water is fairly warm. The Attwoods I put on my lights and regs are just a tad smaller than the standard that you are using. If Chuck had not pointed me to them I would be using the 3.5's from Nix right now, putting them on the stuff I use more frequently such as reels.

Great link, DeWayne. In preparation for the Oriskany, I'm changing all my brass hardware to SS. In addition to all the bolt snaps, I need a couple of swiveling #1 suicide clips. The only suicide clips I can find in stainless are #0 non-swiveling. Any thoughts on where I can find a swiveling #1?

Russell

[DeWayne]

Sure don't Russell, everything I have evr seen has been the solid variety. I've been changing everything over from brass to ss and noticing far fewer cuts on my thumbs these days. Guess what everyone says about brass causing cuts must be true. When are you going to be back at JB again?

[Deep-Thief]

I've been changing everything over from brass to ss and noticing far fewer cuts on my thumbs these days. Guess what everyone says about brass causing cuts must be true.

Do you file your clips? I too had this problem. Especially noticed it after being in the water and the skin got soft. Take a small flat needle file and file the channel that the closure rides in. Especially do this while holding it open. Its a pain in the a** to hold open but will change things greatly for you. Every clip I get, no matter the material, gets a file to it after I get it. My cavern instructor taught me that and has been great ever since.

[scuba.jim]

Do you file your clips? I too had this problem. Especially noticed it after being in the water and the skin got soft. Take a small flat needle file and file the channel that the closure rides in. Especially do this while holding it open. Its a pain in the a** to hold open but will change things greatly for you. Every clip I get, no matter the material, gets a file to it after I get it. My cavern instructor taught me that and has been great ever since.


Deep-Thief:

No one ever taught me that (who was your instructor!), but I learned the same thing after six or twelve months of cave diving; now I've been doing it for years and I've never known anyone else to do it. And I agree - I file both my brass and steel. Interestingly, it has most likely been why I have been so slow to convert to SS - as my brass have been great (post sanding!).

JP

[Deep-Thief]

Instructor was a man by the name of Glen Klag out of Maryland. I haven't heard anything about him in 10+ years. At the time he was not a cave instructor but was in the process of getting it. Don't know if he ever did. I kinda wondered why everyone is so down on brass. It won't rust, I understand it will corrode but not rust. Stainless is great but a little expensive for virtually nothing gained. Maybe I need to post this under the gear section about little secrets. I didn't realize it was possibly unknown by many. Well I'm off to find the thread about butterfly snaps and swivel suicide clips.

[Deep-Thief]

:oops: :roll: Stupid me. The suicide swivel thread was about 3 replys up from the last one I did. Now- If what you call a suicide clip is what I think it is- It is available from your favorite dive shop- Leisure Pro. They call it a swivel boat snap, and they have #1, 2, & 3's. All made of brass and $2.59, 2.79, & 3.79. Go to the top of the web page and where it says keyword search - enter - 1001, 1002, or 1003 and you will be taken to it. Hope these are what you are looking for.

No, I need stainless. But I e-mailed the folks at Nix and they replied that they can get them; if I tell them how many I need, they'll give me a price.

Russell

[DeWayne]

I've been changing everything over from brass to ss and noticing far fewer cuts on my thumbs these days. Guess what everyone says about brass causing cuts must be true.

Do you file your clips? I too had this problem. Especially noticed it after being in the water and the skin got soft. Take a small flat needle file and file the channel that the closure rides in. Especially do this while holding it open. Its a pain in the a** to hold open but will change things greatly for you. Every clip I get, no matter the material, gets a file to it after I get it. My cavern instructor taught me that and has been great ever since.

I have heard of this, but have never been exactly certain what part of the clip needed filing. I have no qualms with using brass other than the cut thumbs on occassion. Finding a good deal on the SS such as through Nix made the switch seem a bit more logical. I'll try filing some in the manner you described and see how that works for me. Worst case scenario I make some one a great deal on a pile of brass clips one of these days 8)

[Deep-Thief]

Look me up when you are ready to get rid of that pile of brass. Try the file thing before you decide to get rid of them though. It should only take about 2min per, and I think you will find the brass a whole lot more enjoyable. Just go across the top of the channel and then I try and get "down in" the channel also. Just try and take the edge off, round it a little.

[DeWayne]

Cool, thanks for providing more detail on that. Still have a pile of brass clips if you need some. I will be at cathy's dive outpost Feb 9-13. If you're in the neighborhood look me up.

[Kenny P.]

Great link, DeWayne. In preparation for the Oriskany, I'm changing all my brass hardware to SS. In addition to all the bolt snaps, I need a couple of swiveling #1 suicide clips. The only suicide clips I can find in stainless are #0 non-swiveling. Any thoughts on where I can find a swiveling #1?

Russell

Russell,
What purpose will the suicide clips serve, besides suicide?
Stick with the bolt style clips and avoid the safety issues associated with the suicides.
Good Luck,
Kenny P.

What purpose will the suicide clips serve, besides suicide?


1. I use one for my SPG. It clips onto my scooter ring. In the unlikely event it were to snag on something, it shouldn't be any problem unclipping. In almost 700 dives it has never snagged. If it ever does, I might decide to swap it for a bolt snap, but again, it is in a place that would be an easy fix.

2. I use one on my primary reel. It's never clipped to me when I'm anywhere close to something it could inadventently snag.

3. I use one on my primary light head, and loop my finger in it. Goodman handles never did it for me, and I have found it most comfortable to hold the head with either an index finger or pinkie in the clip.

These are decisions I have made, and if you disagree with any of them, that is your right. Thank you for your concern.

Russell

[Kenny P.]

1. I use one for my SPG. It clips onto my scooter ring. In the unlikely event it were to snag on something, it shouldn't be any problem unclipping. In almost 700 dives it has never snagged. If it ever does, I might decide to swap it for a bolt snap, but again, it is in a place that would be an easy fix.

2. I use one on my primary reel. It's never clipped to me when I'm anywhere close to something it could inadventently snag.

3. I use one on my primary light head, and loop my finger in it. Goodman handles never did it for me, and I have found it most comfortable to hold the head with either an index finger or pinkie in the clip.

These are decisions I have made, and if you disagree with any of them, that is your right. Thank you for your concern.

Russell[/quote]

Russell,
Thanks for your clip use desciption. No problem!
Thanks Again,
Kenny P.

[dive2dive]

http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/catalog.html

[JS1scuba]

Full Selection in stock only minimum is one unit.

http://www.techdivinglimited.com

[Glen]

Bird was my cave instructor five years ago and he told me about filing the brass clips. We filed the face of the moveable thumbpiece only. The part that has the most contact with your thumb. It often had a seam where it was molded together and the seam was the problem. I haven't noticed any cuts since going to SS clips nor have I filed any of my SS clips. I also received my package of SS clips from NIX. They had excellent quick service and the 3.5" clips were only $2.88 each including shipping (if you buy a bag of 15). The only downside to the nix clips I received (but not really a problem) is the closed ring swivel was very large measuring over an inch wide wheras the open clip side was much smaller and the mouth was not very large. I would have preferred the opposite, having a larger mouth and smaller swivel ring. The nix 3.5's are not as nice in my opinion as the 3.5's I have bought at EE... but they were $8 each! Glen